Saints coach West surprised by Leicester decision

Tigers’ second string were due to travel to Franklin’s Gardens for the second match of the ‘A’ League season, but opted to withdraw.

The Welford Road outfit were forced to field a number of younger players in the 32-8 home defeat to Newcastle Falcons a week earlier and felt they would be ‘comprimising player safety, particularly in the front row’ had they travelled to face the Wanderers.

That sparked disappointment in the Northampton camp as they possess a number of players desperate to get some game time in the bid to win a place in the first team.

And forwards coach West said: “It was very disappointing. You’ve got players at this point of the season who have trained really hard.

“They are chomping at the bit and they want their chance in the first team if they’re not quite there so any games that get called off like that Tigers game is very disappointing.

“It leaves you in a position where you’re desperate to find somebody to play against because you want to keep all your players fighting for positions in the team and that’s their chance to do it.”

While Leicester are scheduled to host Worcester Cavaliers next Monday, the Wanderers are without another game until October 6, when Bristol United head to the Gardens.

And when asked whether he was surprised by Leicester’s withdrawal from this week’s game, former Tigers prop West repllied: “You’re always surprised. We’ve all got injuries and it’s just one of those things.

“If you get a few positional injuries and you’re struggling for that depth... it’s something for them to answer.

“We’ve all got injuries but you’ve just got to get as many players fit and available to play as you can.”